Playing Blackjack

Blackjack is a popular card game found in all casinos in the world. As is the case of many games of luck, the origin of the game is unclear, only knowing the indications mentioned at times through different sources. What is certain is that the game of Blackjack comes from a card game called twenty-one, mentioned in one of the books by the famous author Miguel de Cervantes. Over time the game has become so appreciated that it has been adopted by all casinos. The leading cause of the popularity of this game is apparent. In essence, it is a simple game that offers equal chances of winning.

Basic Rules

Whether it is played in a land-based casino or in an online casino, the basic rules are the same. The game uses between one and eight decks of cards that are shuffled together several times, depending on the casino policy. The game table is crescent-shaped and has five, six, or seven free seats that can be occupied by the participants in the game. There is the possibility that when all the seats are filled, a maximum of two players who do not sit at the table can bet on the hand of a participant in the game. Still, the decisions made in the game belong to the player at the table only.

Cards Value

All 52 cards in the pack are used in the Blackjack game. Each book has its own value. Thus, cards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, represent the value inscribed on them. But the big cards, 10, J, Q, K, whatever they are, have a value equal to ten points. And the ace is the only card that has two values. This can mean either 1 or 11, depending on the player's need and decision. The purpose of the game is to accumulate a value of 21 points or as close to it, but not more than 21. If the player or dealer exceeds this value, the game is over.

Blackjack Game

Each round of Blackjack starts with placing the bet by the players. In the first stage of the game, after placing the bet, the dealer distributes two cards to each player and himself, starting from left to right. The cards are shared one after the other, for each player. Thus each player and the dealer receive two cards. Always one of the dealer cards is turned upside down, which is an advantage for the players. The goal of each player is to defeat the dealer. This can be done when the player's cards add up to 21, or when the player's hand is bigger than the dealer's, but not more than 21.

Player Options

After the first stage in which bets were placed, the players decide which choices to make. The game participants have four options available:

• If the sum of cards is too low, it can ask for cards until it reaches 21 or a value as close as possible.
• If the player has a satisfactory hand, he may choose not to receive any more cards.
• If he holds a promising hand, with the value 11, in anticipation of a value card of 10, he can choose to double the bet amount.
• If the player holds two cards of identical value, he can separate the two cards, thus dividing them into two hands.